Foreign Minister: New Zealand Seeks to Strengthen US Ties

Facts

• During a speech at the United States Business Summit in Auckland on Thursday, New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said that the Asia-Pacific country held a 'crucial role' in 'promoting shared values' alongside the US.¹
• Peters said that both countries 'share[d] a special connection' founded upon 'democratic values,' and continued that New Zealand sought to 'strengthen engagement' with the US on 'strategic and security challenges.' Peters' speech was his first since being appointed foreign minister.²
• Peters has also been appointed as New Zealand's deputy prime minister and previously held the office of foreign minister from 2017-2020. Peters accused New Zealand of being part of a recent foreign affairs 'vacuum,' with newly-elected Prime Minister Christopher Luxon also claiming the country had been 'myopic,' and internally focused.³
• The news comes after Chinese Premier Li Qiang sent his congratulations to Luxon on Monday, calling the two important cooperative partners and stating that Beijing looked forward to working with the country's new government.⁴
• In 2018, Peters introduced a 'Pacific Reset' policy, which included greater aid in the region as well as strengthening ties with the US. At the beginning of the COVID pandemic, Peters called for Taiwan's involvement in the World Health Organization (WHO) and criticized China's ambassador to New Zealand following its embassy's statement to Auckland on the one-China policy.⁵
• This week, New Zealand also finalized a new trade deal with the EU expected to become effective in 2024, with two-way trade consequently estimated to grow by 30% in the next decade.⁶

Sources: ¹Reuters, ²RNZ, ³1 News, ⁴CGTN, ⁵South China Morning Post and ⁶Euractiv.

Narratives

• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by The Diplomat. New Zealand must reaffirm its ties with the United States to strengthen the union of liberal democracy worldwide, and ensure global security. New Zealand is already a member of the Five Eyes intelligence group, and should heavily consider becoming part of AUKUS' second stage. While a reaction from China is inevitable, Auckland must expand its limited foreign policy beyond a dependency on its Australian neighbor.
• Pro-China narrative, as provided by China Daily. Luxon's new coalition government cannot magically restore the country's economy, and so the Prime Minister would be wise to keep the ideologically driven, pro-US wing of the government in check with China remaining New Zealand's dominant trading partner. There is hope that there will be continuity in Auckland's foreign policy, although the country's three-party coalition may prove to be unpredictable.

Predictions